I have a friend getting into the food business. What's your best advice?

I just turned 60 a few days ago and have been in the F&B business all of my life as have been my family going back about 80 years. My advise and I am not trying to be cute is think about this very seriously and if you don't have a rock solid business plan and plenty of excess capital to back it up. Then don't do it. The Food business is very hard to make it in and just because you like to cook is not a good reason to get into it.

Thank you for thinking of us. Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs is a fully Off-Premise Catering and Event Planning company. We don't take online catering orders, we don't have a food truck or retail location, so I am not the best contact to give meaningful information regarding licenses in that end of the food service business. Good luck. 

I think the food truck license covers catering - I would call the county and ask 

My advice to someone wanting to get into the food business is for them to buy our store for $80K . It is for sale ( we are going to retire ) and it is 100% turnkey with seasoned employees in place . Excellent location , established 10 years . 6 figure income potential for new owners . 

To have a solid mentor and great accountant.

I truly can't be of any assistance with a food truck business.  I have never been involved with one.  

Several years ago when I received my FSMC, Food Service Managers Certification, the City of Houston certified food trucks on Tuesdays.  They would drive up and park in designated parking lot area for inspection. This is I. addition to your getting certified as well. 
You may certify on line or take the two day instructor led training and test at the end of class. 

If It's like waking up every morning and the excitement is jumping from ear to ear that always smiling face of getting to leave your house and going into your play room of a good feeling day, then you know you're in the right business. That old saying " it takes money to make money " is aha, so true, as is every business has its slump time, as long as you prepare yourself and your  Finances to sustain you through your slump time you will succeed,  Give yourself a paycheck just like everybody else don't take advantage of the fact that you are the owner Don't try to do everything by yourself have enough friends to have enough staffing to keep your customers happy and yourself from exhaustion hire  A well trusted accountant to keep your books do not try to do-it-yourself However stay on top of what is going on and who is doing what and why Don't fool yourself into thinking that you're going to have a get rich quick scheme as its long hard work done increase your business to fast Remember the customers are your business C to their needs not to their whims

those are not exactly the questions you need to look at.  happy to meet up at cafe to discuss

Really depends on what kind of cash flo they have to generate marketing. My personal opinion is to start off smaller and upgrade as they get the more and more busier. Keep costs low at first and control there